Creator Pro uses different toolchain than the rest of the printers in the lab. This printer is based on one of Makerbot printers and Makerbot as a company would rather have you use Windows-only makerbod-approved software.

However, it is possible, to use the printer with open source toolchain based on Slic3r. Slic3r Prusa Edition is highly recommended.

You can print from the printer directly by putting your print file on an SD card, there is one already in the printer. It only accepts x3g files, so you will have to convert your .gcode file (made in slic3r) to x3g using this utility http://markwal.github.io/GpxUi/

In Slic3r in Fillament Settings tab, ABS Right filament profile and in Print Settings tab, ABS_first_layer print profile. Currently profile is set to 6 skirt layers -- this is normal, ABS needs wide skirt for better adhesion to the bed.

When printing, you absolutely have to have a heated chamber, or ABS prints will definitely warp and very likely will not stick to kapton tape.

In order to construct heated chamber -- cover the front of printer with a piece of plywood or MDF from the workshop and put some cardboard on top of the printer out of extruder path so the heat escapes more slowly. Pre-heating heaated bed for 5 minutes before starting helps a lot -- set the Bed temperature to 100C in Octopi temperature tab.

ABS Juice: help with sticking to the bed (especially for large prints)

when bed is cool, wipe the kapton tape clean with acetone (I used a paper towel with acetone on it)

take a clean paper towel, put acetone on it and wipe a piece of the ABS with it to get some 'ABS juice' on the towel. Then wipe this over the bed. There should be some failed prints in the 3D printer, or check the mini-can beside the 3D printer for failed prints

allow to dry completely (~5 minutes), you should see streaks of ABS on the bed. Heat up bed and print as usual.

ABS should now stick well. Remember to block the build volume to stop air drafts.

It's better to start ABS prints towards the back of the printer where ambient temperature is more stable. To disable auto-centering, in Slic3r Prusa Edition go to File --> Preferences then uncheck 'Auto-center Parts'.

Left side of the bed was way higher than the right side. This caused some damage to kapton tape. Re-aligned by eye.

Alex V.

Apr 27, 2017

Printed something that was ~90% as long as the short side of the bed (y-axis in slic3r). Had to level the bed a little bit, but it printed fine. I used ABS juice to get it to stick (and blocked the build volume with cardboard)

Rana

Feb 18, 2017

Myles mentioned about unlevelled printing bed. I leveled the bed properly, however I printed a small model in the middle of the table. Everything works fine. If you will print a large model may be you will need additional tuning.

Mike P.

Feb 9, 2017

Replaced the original print head plate with 3D printed model to reduce strain on wires going to print head. Added 3D printed extruder cable support. The original print head plate in my members' box.

Alex V.

Jan 31, 2017

Corrected wire order on right drive motor, both motors feed filament correctly now. Nozzles need to be vertically aligned, one is lower than the other and scrapes the previous layers.